Fire tears through abandoned Birmingham building

Firefighters battle a blaze in a vacant building Friday in Birmingham. A wall of a vacant office building in downtown Birmingham has collapsed after a fire tore through and sent plumes of black smoke drifting across the city’s skyline.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Published: Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 11:45 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM | A wall of a vacant office building in downtown Birmingham has collapsed after a fire tore through and sent plumes of black smoke drifting across the city’s skyline.

The southwest wall of the building on First Avenue North collapsed Friday afternoon after dozens of firefighters fought to control the blaze for more than an hour.

Officials said the building has been vacant for about a decade and no injuries have been reported. Nearby buildings were evacuated and authorities are unsure of what caused the fire.

<p>BIRMINGHAM | A wall of a vacant office building in downtown Birmingham has collapsed after a fire tore through and sent plumes of black smoke drifting across the city's skyline. </p><p>The southwest wall of the building on First Avenue North collapsed Friday afternoon after dozens of firefighters fought to control the blaze for more than an hour. </p><p>Officials said the building has been vacant for about a decade and no injuries have been reported. Nearby buildings were evacuated and authorities are unsure of what caused the fire.</p>